In this project, a 5th grade class will create a 5 minute Public Service Announcement (PSA) about composting. To begin, the class as a whole will research about composting using the internet, news articles, blogs, etc. Once the class understands the basics of composting, they will work on two projects. The first is their own class composting bin. They will create signs to put up in the cafeteria explaining what they will be doing with the waste they collect from the school. The students will have to keep a data sheet that explains how long it takes for different types of food to compost, and if it is practical to compost certain types of food. The second portion of the project will be to create a PSA for the school. They will be split up onto groups of five. Each group will be in charge of a specific portion of the video. Each group will have to research more about their specific part of composting and create a 1-2 minute video of their topic. The five topics will consist of: 1) Introduction to the project; 2) What is composting; 3) How to start a compost bin; 4) What can you compost; and 5) Why composting is important. Once each group has created their 1-2 minute video, the class will reconnect as a whole and edit the five sections together with the teacher. They will deliberate what sections from each groups video should be used, and in what order the videos should be pieced together. Once the video is complete, it will be shown to the entire school during an assembly.This project allows for students to see the full effect of how composting is benefitial to the environment. (Samantha M.)
What will be the product of this project?
The physical outcome of this project will consist of a 5 minute PSA video about what the project is, what composting is, how to compost, what to compost, and why composting is important for our community. Along with the PSA video, the class as a whole will make a presentation to the entire school about what they have learned and how the school can implement these findings. Some of the non-physical outcomes will consist of being able to do research online as well as with books, learn how to create and edit videos, and practice skills within reading, writing, and math. This project will encompass most aspects of learning.(Christine W.)
What curriculum standards will be met?
The Oregon Department of Education sets curriculum standards for all grades. Through these standards of 4th grade Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, students will analyze, create, and understand the importance of composting and its lasting affects on the environment. Through the creation of informative posters, flyers, and an informative video students “apply the use of ideas, techniques and problem solving to the creative process and analyze the influence that choices have on the result”. Through peer and self evaluation students are able to “evaluate one’s won work, orally and in writing”. Advocating their cause to other grade levels students are given the opportunity to “develop an interpretation of grade level informational text across the subject areas”. The composting video students will create will force students to “Develop an interpretation of grade level informational text across the subject areas”. As the composting continues throughout the PBL students will need to calculate the amount of worms needed for optimal compost. They will develop analytical skills by creating spreadsheets of daily calculations and measurements. The compost will serve as a gateway into other school activities and projects. The creation of a flower bed shows students the many uses for compost. Students will care for these flowers and note their growth over time taking into consideration the surrounding environment. Students develop the understanding that “living and non-living things undergo changes that involve force and energy”. Co-habitation is a main theme in the PBL, through researching and developing ways to live harmoniously with our environment students “understand how people and the environment are interrelated”. Although composting might not be clean, students can develop the necessary set of skills to navigate them through what has yet to come. (Sarah M.)
What is the process of composting, and how can it benefit the community and ultimately the environment?(Stephanie G.)
How can technology be integrated into this project?
For this particular worm compost project, the students will be applying technology into their learning experiences by making a video of the project that shows the whole process of their work. Taking digital photos and incorporating it in their presentation is another way they'll integrate technology. The students will also be making posters or flyers by using a computer program like Paint, to hang in the lunchroom. These flyers will instruct other students of where to dispose of their wastes. To finalize their results of the project, they will gather information about worm composting, which will require them to research online. Another way they will use technology is the use of spreadsheets to gather all the data they collect throughout the whole process. Spreadsheets are a good way to record the data collected, and students will always find this a useful tool when they move on to higher grade levels. (Miriam C.)
Additional webpages that have information on composting:
Red Wiggler Recyclers
Our Project-Based Learning Lesson
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What is the Red Wiggler Recylers About?
In this project, a 5th grade class will create a 5 minute Public Service Announcement (PSA) about composting. To begin, the class as a whole will research about composting using the internet, news articles, blogs, etc. Once the class understands the basics of composting, they will work on two projects. The first is their own class composting bin. They will create signs to put up in the cafeteria explaining what they will be doing with the waste they collect from the school. The students will have to keep a data sheet that explains how long it takes for different types of food to compost, and if it is practical to compost certain types of food. The second portion of the project will be to create a PSA for the school. They will be split up onto groups of five. Each group will be in charge of a specific portion of the video. Each group will have to research more about their specific part of composting and create a 1-2 minute video of their topic. The five topics will consist of: 1) Introduction to the project; 2) What is composting; 3) How to start a compost bin; 4) What can you compost; and 5) Why composting is important. Once each group has created their 1-2 minute video, the class will reconnect as a whole and edit the five sections together with the teacher. They will deliberate what sections from each groups video should be used, and in what order the videos should be pieced together. Once the video is complete, it will be shown to the entire school during an assembly.This project allows for students to see the full effect of how composting is benefitial to the environment. (Samantha M.)
What will be the product of this project?
The physical outcome of this project will consist of a 5 minute PSA video about what the project is, what composting is, how to compost, what to compost, and why composting is important for our community. Along with the PSA video, the class as a whole will make a presentation to the entire school about what they have learned and how the school can implement these findings. Some of the non-physical outcomes will consist of being able to do research online as well as with books, learn how to create and edit videos, and practice skills within reading, writing, and math. This project will encompass most aspects of learning. (Christine W.)
What curriculum standards will be met?
The Oregon Department of Education sets curriculum standards for all grades. Through these standards of 4th grade Art, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, students will analyze, create, and understand the importance of composting and its lasting affects on the environment. Through the creation of informative posters, flyers, and an informative video students “apply the use of ideas, techniques and problem solving to the creative process and analyze the influence that choices have on the result”. Through peer and self evaluation students are able to “evaluate one’s won work, orally and in writing”. Advocating their cause to other grade levels students are given the opportunity to “develop an interpretation of grade level informational text across the subject areas”. The composting video students will create will force students to “Develop an interpretation of grade level informational text across the subject areas”. As the composting continues throughout the PBL students will need to calculate the amount of worms needed for optimal compost. They will develop analytical skills by creating spreadsheets of daily calculations and measurements. The compost will serve as a gateway into other school activities and projects. The creation of a flower bed shows students the many uses for compost. Students will care for these flowers and note their growth over time taking into consideration the surrounding environment. Students develop the understanding that “living and non-living things undergo changes that involve force and energy”. Co-habitation is a main theme in the PBL, through researching and developing ways to live harmoniously with our environment students “understand how people and the environment are interrelated”. Although composting might not be clean, students can develop the necessary set of skills to navigate them through what has yet to come. (Sarah M.)
Click here to see the Curriculum Standards....What is the driving question?
What is the process of composting, and how can it benefit the community and ultimately the environment?(Stephanie G.)
How can technology be integrated into this project?
For this particular worm compost project, the students will be applying technology into their learning experiences by making a video of the project that shows the whole process of their work. Taking digital photos and incorporating it in their presentation is another way they'll integrate technology. The students will also be making posters or flyers by using a computer program like Paint, to hang in the lunchroom. These flyers will instruct other students of where to dispose of their wastes. To finalize their results of the project, they will gather information about worm composting, which will require them to research online. Another way they will use technology is the use of spreadsheets to gather all the data they collect throughout the whole process. Spreadsheets are a good way to record the data collected, and students will always find this a useful tool when they move on to higher grade levels. (Miriam C.)
Additional webpages that have information on composting:
Go To: Main Page (page 1) , Collaborative Brainstorm (page 2)